A Winters Memory

Chapter Seventeen

Over the next week or so, Ara began showing the new girl the ropes around the cabin and what had to be done, splitting the workload between both of them.

Ara eventually learned the girl's name was Dahlia. She learned that Dahlia was also cast out from her own family for her eccentric ways.

She chose to dabble in the art of magic branding her unworthy and tainted. Ara could see no evil in the woman as she grew to know her.

Dahlia as just as bad as Ara had been when she first got to the cabin, defiant and always causing trouble with the Alpha but then again...

Any little thing set the horrid man off, but Dahlia never faltered nor, would she keep her mouth shut on how much she disliked the Alpha and every member of the household including, Alec.

She understood the predicament that Ara found herself in when she said she couldn't leave the cabin, but she also couldn't see why she would allow herself to be tortured in such a way when the road to freedom was just a few feet from where they stood, and nothing could stop her if she truly wanted to escape.

As dinner was being prepped, Alec snuck into the kitchen, his arms wrapping around Ara's waist as she stood at the counter, a knife in her hand while chopping potatoes. Her breath hitched as she felt his warm arms wrap around her in a loving embrace.

Alec had grown more and more bold with his constant appearances at any given chance available to him. Today was just another one of those days where he would sneak in and embrace her for a while and sneak loving kisses.

"Alec, I need to finish this otherwise dinner will be late."

She squirmed against him as his hands began to roam her body through the fabric of her ratty dress. He leaned in, his hot breath trickling along her neck making the small hairs on the back of her neck stand on end as he whispered sweet nothings.

Dahlia rolled her eyes and shook her head at the two and continued with what she had busied herself with.

If the Alpha walked in on their little scene he would surely make them regret it and nothing would happen to Alec, it would be Ara who would suffer the most and for some God forsaken reason, Dahlia herself couldn't see was why Ara would put up with it or why Alec wouldn't just stand up to his father and tell him that Ara was his mate and that he should treat her with the respect she so rightfully deserved as the mate of an Alpha's son.

Of course, Alec was nothing but a simple coward despite his towering size well-built body. Dahlia had once commented on his actions earning herself a hit from the Alpha that was so powerful it caused her teeth to rattle upon impact.

Sighing she continued to move about her business hoping one day Ara would see that she was far better off without her mate. She only wished it was sooner and that she had the actual power to be able to get them out of this inferno. 

She didn't know how much longer either one of them had but she hoped it was longer than the threats the Alpha constantly spat at the two girls.

"Dahlia...?" Ara's voice cut into her inner ramblings as she tapped her shoulder.

Looking up to Ara's hopeful blue eyes she turned her gaze to Alec who stared at her with the same look, with a wave of her hands towards them and an exasperated sigh she nodded her head.

"Go on, get out of here... I'll finish up and for the love of the Goddess, please don't get caught."

She eyed Alec with a glare, "and you, make sure she doesn't get hurt otherwise you will deeply regret it."

Dahlia had come to care about the slave girl, she felt sorry for her after learning about her past and how she came to be under the Alpha's wrathful foot. She felt protective of the girl and yet she couldn't do much for her other than tend to the wounds she would get.

She had a fire in her but sometimes she wondered just how bright that fire was and how long it would stay burning if this continued as Dahlia knew it would.

The bond between mates was so strong that it was nearly impossible to part with them even if they wanted to. She learned of a few wolves who had died after losing their mates and she often wondered if that would ever happen to Ara and Alec if they were ever forced to part.

Shaking her head mentally she gave Ara a sad smile before wrapping her arms around the girl who had already done so with such a tightness that it made her breath catch a little.

"Go on... And hurry back before they come?"

Ara nodded her head as Alec grabbed a hold of her hand and pulled her out the back door of the kitchen. She watched the two of them disappear into the clearing of the forest as they became obscured by the trees in the distance.

After disappearing into the forest, Alec and Ara made their way to their old spot where they had first met, the lake. It hadn't changed much in the time she had been gone away from it.

It was still frozen over as the harsh winters of RedWings continued on without seeming as if it were ever going to dissipate. Ara looked over the frozen lake, her eyes scanning its glossy surface before turning to look into Alec's green hues a small smile forming on her lips as he, in turn, looked to her.

"It's a beautiful sight don't you think?"

She asked curiously as she turned back to look at the lake. He shook his head and pulled her close to him, his arms wrapping around her waist.

"The only beautiful thing I see here is you, my love..."

He began to close the small space between them as he leaned his head down and pressed his lips to hers. Her breath hitched in a small gasp as it did each time they were close; the feel of their bond a constant reminder as it coursed through her warming her very core. She moved her arms slowly up and wrapped them around his neck as their kiss deepened.

Time seemed to slow down around them as they continued their intimate embrace, his tongue moving with hers, savoring the taste of each other. Alec slowly moved his hands from her waist to cup her backside and giving it a firm squeeze.

Pulling away from the kiss he spoke in a husky tone, "I want to make love to you, it's been far too long..."

Ara looked up at him from under her lashes and nodded, her cheeks flushing at his words. Grabbing a hold of her wrist he led her away from the lake and over to an abandoned cave not too far from the lake.

As they entered, a chill began to run down Ara's spine feeling as if someone were watching them from the shadows within. She took a deep breath as she tried to calm her nerves.

"A-alec... Are you sure no one knows where we are? Or about this cave?" She asked in a low whisper.

"I'm sure, don't worry okay?" Ara nodded her head as they continued in.

Alec motioned for Ara to lay across the hide he had left there weeks ago in case he had ever needed it and began to make a small fire to keep them warm. The cave itself wasn't very large, it was rather small but perfect for just the two of them.

It was a lot warmer inside now that the fire wasup and going, the sound of the crackling wood soothed her earlier nerves as shelaid back and stared at Alec while he poked at the small fire making sure itwas kept alive.